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HB 1825

Updating teacher compensation at the Washington state center for deaf and hard of hearing youth and the state school for the blind.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Paul Harris and 2 co-sponsors

Arkansas public high schools may require one graduation credit in a DOE-approved computer science or CS-related CTE course, with the Department identifying qualifying courses.

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
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Bill Summary · HB 1825

Summary — HB 1825 (2025) — Computer Science Education (Arkansas)

Note: The package of documents provided includes mixed/erroneous content (including an unrelated Illinois HB1825 text and a different bill title about Louisville hotel taxes). This summary focuses on the Arkansas House Bill 1825 material (sponsored by Rep. Wooldridge and Sen. Crowell), which is the substantive legislative text in the packet.

Main purpose

To authorize (not statewide mandate) Arkansas public high schools to require that an enrolled student earn one unit of credit in a Department of Education‑approved high school computer science course or a computer science‑related career and technical education (CTE) course as a condition of graduation, and to direct the Division to identify CTE courses that may satisfy that credit.

Key provisions

  • Schools’ authority to require computer science credit:
    • Amends Ark. Code § 6-16-152(b)(1).
    • Beginning with the entering ninth grade class of 2022‑2023 in the 2025‑2026 school year, a public high school may require an enrolled student to earn one (1) unit of credit in a Department of Education‑approved high school computer science or computer science‑related CTE course before graduation.
    • Language in the engrossed/amended bill uses “may require” (i.e., gives individual public high schools the option to impose this requirement) rather than a blanket statewide “shall be required.”
  • Division responsibilities (new subdivision added):
    • The Division (Arkansas Department of Education) shall:
    • Review CTE courses to determine how computer science standards may be embedded into appropriate courses; and
    • Identify which CTE courses would meet a computer science credit if a public high school elects to require it.
  • Conforming/technical changes: Stricken/underlined edits reflect the change from mandatory to permissive school authority.

Who would be affected

  • Public high schools and school districts (gain authority to set graduation requirements locally).
  • Public high school students (those attending schools that adopt the requirement would need the credit to graduate).
  • Arkansas Department of Education / Division of Career and Technical Education (charged with reviewing and identifying qualifying CTE courses).
  • School budgets and staffing: districts choosing to implement would incur costs for course offerings, teacher training, materials, and scheduling.

Fiscal impact

  • Department of Education fiscal statement: No state fiscal impact.
  • Local impact: Schools/school districts that choose to implement the requirement would be responsible for funding any additional costs.

Timeline & procedural status

  • Introduced: January 13, 2025 (sponsor: Wooldridge; Crowell listed as co-sponsor).
  • Amendment No. 1 adopted (4/3/2025) clarifying permissive language and adding Division duties.
  • Committee activity: read, referred, amendment adopted; considered in public hearing (4/29/2025); testimony recorded; left pending.
  • Withdrawn by author and recommended for interim study by the House Education Committee (4/9/2025).
  • Final status: Died in Committee.

Related bill

  • SB 300 listed as a companion bill.

If you want, I can produce a one‑page explainer for school administrators summarizing implementation options, likely cost areas, and steps the Department would need to take to identify qualifying CTE courses.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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